“Dissent is Patriotic”: Ban This Book as a Literary Voice Against Censorship of Books

Abstract

Censorship of books has served as a means of maintaining power, enforcing conformity, protecting perceived moral, social, or national order, and as an effective tool to silence dissent. Although modern states provide freedom of speech and expression as a Constitutional Right, the age-old practice of censorship of books persists and remains a controversial issue, particularly due to resistance to such acts in various ways. Advocates of individual freedom and plurality of thought, vehemently voice against banning books. This paper attempts to delineate how literature too voices against the censorship of books focusing on Alan Gratz’s Ban This Book. Gratz, weaves a story of standing up for the freedom of reading by children. By writing the story of resistance he is also voicing in favour of writers’ freedom of expression. Through this narrative, Gratz not only encourages young readers to question imposed restrictions but also reaffirms the role of writers in defending intellectual freedom. The paper foregrounds the author’s stance that dissent is necessary for the survival of democratic principles, and that writers have the duty to promote awareness about censorship and the need to resist it.